Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot in the chest and abdomen in Handlova on Wednesday, May 15, after a meeting with his cabinet. The leader was transported to a hospital and, according to a post on his official Facebook page, "is currently in mortal danger" after being "shot several times." The suspect has been detained by authorities. Meanwhile, reactions to the shooting have begun to emerge. The country's president, Zuzana Caputova, has condemned the "brutal" attack, wishing Robert Fico a speedy recovery. "I am absolutely shocked by today's brutal attack on Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico, which I condemn in the strongest possible terms. I wish him a lot of strength in this critical moment and a quick recovery. My thoughts are also with his family and loved ones," she wrote on social media.

Utterly shocked by today's brutal attack on #Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, which I condemn in strongest possible terms.

I wish him lot of strength in this critical moment and early recovery. My thoughts are also with his family and close ones.

— Zuzana Čaputová (@ZuzanaCaputova) May 15, 2024

Michal Simecka, leader of the opposition in Slovakia, expressed his "shock and horror" in a tweet, emphasizing that any type of violence should be "unequivocally and vehemently" condemned.

Som šokovaný a zhrozený streľbou na premiéra Roberta Fica v Handlovej. Akékoľvek násilie jednoznačne a ostro odsudzujeme. Veríme, že premiér Fico bude v poriadku a že tento hrozný čin bude čo najskôr objasnený.

— Michal Šimečka (@MSimecka) May 15, 2024

In Portugal, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, condemned the "unacceptable and barbaric act of political violence" against his Slovak counterpart and wished for his "full recovery." "On behalf of Portugal and in my own name, I express my full solidarity with my colleague Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia, wishing for his full recovery. We vehemently condemn this unacceptable and barbaric act of political violence," reads a message posted on Luís Montenegro's official social media account.

Em nome de Portugal e em meu nome, expresso toda a solidariedade ao meu colega Robert Fico, Primeiro-Ministro da Eslováquia, desejando o seu total restabelecimento. Condenamos com toda a veemência este ato inaceitável e bárbaro de violência política."

— Luís Montenegro (@LMontenegropm) May 15, 2024

In turn, the leader of the Socialist Party (PS), Pedro Nuno Santos, said he was "shocked by the violent attack" on Robert Fico, expressing "solidarity and deep outrage against this cowardly act." "We all have the responsibility to protect democracy from days like today. May everything be done to bring those responsible to justice," he stated on social media.

Chocado com o violento ataque de que foi hoje vítima o Primeiro-Ministro eslovaco, Robert Fico. Em meu nome e do Partido Socialista, manifesto a nossa solidariedade e uma profunda revolta contra este ato cobarde, desejando desde já uma recuperação rápida e plena.

Todos temos a…

— Pedro Nuno Santos (@PNSpedronuno) May 15, 2024

UN Secretary-General António Guterres also "strongly condemned the shocking attack." According to Farhan Haq, spokesperson for the UN leader, "the Secretary-General's thoughts are with the Prime Minister [of Slovakia] and his loved ones at this difficult time." European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also reacted, "strongly condemning the vile attack." "Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good. My thoughts are with Robert Fico and his family," she wrote.

I strongly condemn the vile attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico.

Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good.

My thoughts are with PM Fico and his family.

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) May 15, 2024

On the same social media platform, European Council President Charles Michel stressed that "nothing justifies this type of violence and attacks," admitting to being "shocked" by such an act.

I am shocked at the news of the attack on Slovakian PM Fico after a meeting of the Slovak Cabinet in Handlova.

Nothing can ever justify violence or such attacks.

My thoughts are with the Prime Minister and his family.

— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) May 15, 2024

NATO Secretary-General